This might be a silly question - a question of the sanity a 2 night stay between connecting flights from KUL - MLE - CMB.
What is there to do, other than relaxing in resorts or flying over the beautiful atolls? I think a week's stay would make the seaplane trip and a nice hotel worthwhile but a short trip may be a waste.
As a judgment call for quick trips, I think we will just spend our days before the flight to CMB in Cambodia and Kuala Lumpur - and leave the Maldives for our next (FT?!?) flight to CMB.
Programs: AF/KLM Plat/UA Million Miler/BD Gold/SPG Gold
Posts: 4,166
Well, I'm one of the ones who did a 2 night jaunt to MLE. Used avery reasonable 10K EK award CMB-MLE. Stayed at a resort very close to Male that was on the verge of closing for renovations. The rooms were definitely lowbrow and the facilities worn, but the service, food, grounds were all fabulous.
Since I'm not sure when I'd be back in that neck of the woods, the side trip was well worth the time.
If you are not into beachbumming, spaing, diving or fishing, I think it could be a loooong week, as there is no culture and minimal nightlife. For me 3-4 nights would be perfect, then onward to CMB or SE Asia.
Programs: UA 1k (1 more month :-( / HH Diamond, Marriott Gold, Starwood Gold
Posts: 260
Miracle Award Booking
Mrs. PLTHOO and I are traveling for a long exotic vacation this June/July and wanted to head to the Maldives...like everyone else found out there is no availability...not even a Diamond Force. We were told by the diamond desk (after calling for three straight months) to give up and go to one of the other nice places...so we booked a trip to Mauritius with a stop in Capetown.
The miracle:
2a. I was on-line Friday evening making reservations for business travel and checked for awards in the Maldives (no idea why...maybe feeling sorry for myself) and voila.....about 1.5 months of completely available standard award inventory. Called the diamond desk immediately, the agent even apologized ahead of time for no availbility when I asked, but sure enough she was amazed at seeing inventory in the system. She even said they had a "pool" running in the res center for the agent able to book the first award stay at the property. We are now booked for 7 straight nights in the Maldives this summer - miracles do happen.
Questions:
-The hotel indicated they would set up the sea plane transfer and overnight hotel in Male (we arrive via SIN)...which hotel is it and should I look for one on my own? Is Male the type of place I should let the hotel take care of things?
-Is there only 1 air taxi operator----Maldavian Air Taxi?
-Do you have to purchase a half-board meal plan...as the first post indicated you can purchase a half-board supplement for dinner...is breakfast included in the rate? I also ask this because Mauritius included breakfast in the room rate (and awards)?
-Is the no-alcohol policy strictly enforced in Male? Can you buy alcohol in Male or is it a "dry" city?
-Has anyone dove while at the resort....typical rates?
-Any other tips/tricks for making the transfer in/out of Male successful?
I just checked availability logged in as a diamond and every night from April to November is available in calendar (except Sept. 19 oddly). December and January have less dates available. So now is the time to book if you are interested!
Questions:
-The hotel indicated they would set up the sea plane transfer and overnight hotel in Male (we arrive via SIN)...which hotel is it and should I look for one on my own? Is Male the type of place I should let the hotel take care of things?
-Is there only 1 air taxi operator----Maldavian Air Taxi?
-Do you have to purchase a half-board meal plan...as the first post indicated you can purchase a half-board supplement for dinner...is breakfast included in the rate? I also ask this because Mauritius included breakfast in the room rate (and awards)?
-Any other tips/tricks for making the transfer in/out of Male successful?
Thank you.
Since the sea plane only operates during the daylight hours, the Conrad recommended the Hulhuwe hotel close to the airport as the best available for the night following our 10 pm arrival from Singapore. It is a brand new hotel about a 3 minute shuttle ride from the airport, comfortable beds, good a/c.
Our seaplane flight to the Conrad was scheduled for about 2 pm. So after breakfast I took the ferry from the Hulhuwe hotel (located on the island where the airport is located) to Male--it takes just 10 minutes. I jogged around the island on which Male is located and then through some streets including the main street. DO NOT waste your time in Male if you do not have to. It's nothing terrible--just not even close to the magic of being at the Conrad.
The Conrad masterbilled us $245/room per night for the Hulhuwe Hotel. I suspect I could have gotten a lower rate of I had booked myself.
I believe Maldavian Air Taxi is the only seaplane flying to the resort from Male--only once did I see another airline company fly into the resort over six days.
You do not have to take out a half board plan. I believe it is $60 per person--but you can go to the Atoll Market for dinner priced at just $60 per person whenever you wish. The Atoll Market dinner offering is outstanding, and far better value than the specialty restaurants (we tried three).
Breakfast was provided free as a Diamond since we did not get an upgrade. We chose breakfast in our room every day, and the range of options is fantastic.
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AA EXP 2MM; UA 1K MM; Mariott Platinum; Hilton Diamond; Starwood Gold
Location: AA EXP (1MM), AS MVPG, UA 2P, AMTK AGR SEL, SPG PLT, HH GLD
Posts: 1,345
Quote:
Originally Posted by travelexpert
Breakfast was provided free as a Diamond since we did not get an upgrade. We chose breakfast in our room every day, and the range of options is fantastic.
Isn't breakfast free for everyone at this hotel, regardless of status?
I thought the only difference was where people were allowed to eat their breakfast (based on whether or not they were in the water villas).
Programs: UA 1k (1 more month :-( / HH Diamond, Marriott Gold, Starwood Gold
Posts: 260
That is exactly my question....the Mauritius resort included bfast in all room rates...and there was a supplemental fell-board option. Seeing the half-board supplement (for the dinner buffet) is $60, and this is the only purchase option mentioned, it would seem breakfast is included with all rooms.
Other question....we are currently booked in a beach villa..is the next step up (while hoping for an upgrade) to a deluxe beach villa, or do we have a shot at a water villa? Is this completely depenedent on loads?
Location: AA EXP (1MM), AS MVPG, UA 2P, AMTK AGR SEL, SPG PLT, HH GLD
Posts: 1,345
Quote:
Originally Posted by PLTHOO
Other question....we are currently booked in a beach villa..is the next step up (while hoping for an upgrade) to a deluxe beach villa, or do we have a shot at a water villa?
I think that, technically, a Deluxe Beach Villa and Water Villa are the same category (at least that's what the pricing would leave one to believe).
So, the hierarchy of rooms should look like this:
Beach Villa --> Water Villa/Deluxe Beach Villa --> Superior Water Villa --> Spa Water Villa --> Deluxe Water Villa.
Personally (and I've heard this view echoed here on FT several times), I would prefer a Deluxe Beach Villa over a standard Water Villa. They look huge and have their own private plunge pool - so that's good enough for me. As far as an upgrade, I'm going to be specific in my request (Deluxe Beach Villa) and simply hope for the best. In all honesty, though, I think it'll be very hard to be disappointed in my regular beach villa if the upgrade doesn't come through.
As far as an upgrade, I'm going to be specific in my request (Deluxe Beach Villa) and simply hope for the best. In all honesty, though, I think it'll be very hard to be disappointed in my regular beach villa if the upgrade doesn't come through.
-FlyerBeek
We were assigned a coordinator at check in, who we could call with questions and issues. She was actually quite weak--did not do much of anything. Anyhow--she mentioned throughout the week she will keep trying to find and upgrade--which never materialized. But we were EXTREMELY happy in our basic beach villa. Anywhere else you would think it is spacious and beautiful....
In my walk around through both islands, I would agree that the deluxe beach villas look fantastic. Ditto for most over-the-water villas--though some look "smaller". Conversely--the adjacent island Ranglifinolhu comprises a few restaurants and over-water villas only--I would not choose an over-the-water villa facing west since the water seems like a dull green with no intriguing view.
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AA EXP 2MM; UA 1K MM; Mariott Platinum; Hilton Diamond; Starwood Gold
Programs: UA 1k (1 more month :-( / HH Diamond, Marriott Gold, Starwood Gold
Posts: 260
Good points on the Beach Villas....we share the same sentiment...we are just happy to be going out there. ANy specific unit numbers on what to request/look for?
The availability here is incredible. I just booked a 7 night GLONP07 reward for Dec. It looks like the rest of the year, except for Nov. & late Dec. are still totally open.
